During a conversation with Dodge boss Reid Bigland at the Los Angeles auto show, Bigland told me the redesigned Viper "will appeal to a broader segment of the market."

The car is expected to debut in 2012 but is not likely to appear at the Detroit auto show, he says.

Today's Viper is essentially a street-legal race car. The next car is being engineered to attract a wider range of buyers.

"It was a little crude in the past, and to a certain extent that was its appeal because you really needed to have your wits about you when you got behind the wheel to keep that thing on the road. And that thrill of driving a Viper was kind of unlike any other," Bigland says.

"I think it still will be a thrilling ride with respect to the new one but offer a few more creature comforts that people come to expect in a high-performance vehicle today."

He didn't give any examples.

So is Dodge throwing away the Viper formula and starting from scratch?

Fear not.

Says Bigland: "Those who were attracted to the Viper in the past will certainly be attracted to this new Viper. Guaranteed!"